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OVER WHITACRE 2, 7-0-23 in Bb

History

The church, dating from 1766, was built early in the reign of George III in an Italian classical style typical of the period. However, this was not the first church building on the site. Over Whitacre church certainly dates from Norman times and may be of earlier foundation. Although no evidence of this early church building survives above ground, an item of the old church’s furniture is now to be found in Holy Trinity church at Sutton Coldfield. The 12th-century stone font from Over Whitacre was thrown out when the church was rebuilt. The font was taken to a local pub, either the nearby Owl Inn (now gone) or downhill to the Bull at Furnace End. It was rediscovered in 1856 and presented to Holy Trinity. Documentary evidence of the church here is available from the early 13th century. The advowson of Over Whitacre was given in 1203 by Jordan de Witacre to Christine, prioress of Markyate, Bedfordshire. This gave the priory, amongst other things, the right to appoint a priest to Over Whitacre. Nether Whitacre and Lea Marston were also similarly subject to Markyate Priory. In a document of 1280 confirming the agreement the church is referred to as the ‘chapel’ of Over Whitacre, suggesting that it was subsidiary to Coleshill at that time. Whitacre was still appropriated to Markyate at the time of Henry VIII's valuation, the Valor Ecclesiasticus of 1535, but no vicarage had been endowed and the chapel was probably served by a priest from Coleshill.

Over Whitacre had probably become a parish church in its own right by the end of the 16th century. The earliest evidence on the site is the stump of a medieval churchyard cross which dates from c1500. In 1766 the church was completely rebuilt. The architect builder/s are thought to have been either or both William and David Hiorn of Warwick. They were neo-classical architects of some local repute having worked in Warwick, on west midland country houses and on churches including Holy Trinity church in Sutton Coldfield in 1760. It may be that the new church was built on the foundations of the old. It is possible too that between the internal plaster and the external sandstone ashlar remains of the medieval building survive. The church originally had a dome on the top of the tower, but this was replaced by a spire in 1850

There are two bells here, which are perfectly ringable. Hung on one level in a modern metal frame, they hang side by side and both swing east-west. The treble sounds note E and the tenor Bb. Frame and fittings by Taylors, 1933 at which time the treble was retuned.

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MOSELEY St Agnes 2, 10-2-22 in Ab

History

On Thursday, October 3rd 1878 a meeting was called to discuss the increasing of the seating for the Church of England in this area. Plans to extend St Mary's (q.v.) did not find favour and instead it was decided to build a wooden church. This was built at a cost of £635 and was opened in April 1879. It was to be used for services for just over five years and cost some £635, including all the fittings. When it was sold, the wooden church went to the new parish of St. Mary and St. Ambrose on Pershore Road (q.v.)(, where it still stands, now acting as the church hall.

An architectural competition was organized amongst seven Birmingham architects in the summer of 1882 for designs for the new church. The anonymously submitted designs were considered at great length by the committee, and the three best were displayed for public viewing at the National Schools in November. The winning architect proved to be William Davis, of Colmore Row. Although detailed plans were now available, money was still not forthcoming on a sufficient scale and, with only £2000 in the bank, it was with considerable trepidation and heart-searching that the Committee sanctioned a start on the building in July 1883. It was decided that the foundations of the whole building should be built but that, to begin with, only the eastern half of Davis's substantial church should be completed. William Bloore's tender of £4045 for the building work was accepted and a Masonic foundation stone laying ceremony decided upon.

At the opening of the church on October 29th 1884 the parts of the church which were completed included the chancel, the north and south transepts and the first two bays of the nave and aisles. The organ chamber on the north side of the chancel and a small vestry on the south side had been built. the 2nd phase of the bulding was completed in 1893 and this included the lower part of the tower. The church was offered £1000 by "CARADOC" in October 1928 offering to donate £1,000 towards the completion of the tower. Quotes were obtained for this, including/excliding a spire. £4,500/£3,300. The church were unable to find the extra funds and decided not to go ahead. However the former parishioner CARADOC offered to pay £3,000 if the job could be finished for this amount and the tower was completed in 1931/2 (Taken from "History of Moseley" - no longer on the church website)

The grillage is in place to allow the addition of a further 6 bells. These bells are believed to be ringable.

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LOXLEY St Nicholas 2, 5cwt

History

St Nicholas stands on a site that was given to Worcester Cathedral in 760AD by Offa, King of Mercia. The northern wall of the Chancel incorporates Saxon work from around 950AD (uncovered & preserved in 1983). In 1253AD Peter de Mora granted the church to Kenilworth Priory which retained it until the Dissolution of the Monasteries. The church was re-consecrated in 1286 after major re-building by Godfrey Giffard, Bishop of Worcester. The lower parts of the tower are probably part of the 1286 church. The pillar piscina on the south wall of the chancel, the nearby lancet window, and the small coffin lid on the west wall are also 13th century.

Extensive reconstruction work took place in the 18th century when the south aisle was removed and the small vestry (which incorporates many of the Southam memorial stones) was built. This work gave the Church the Georgian character that remains evident today. In 1923 the Kendall family paid for further major work which included the removal of the gallery from the West end and also the flat nave ceiling (which was replaced in 1953). In 1930 a stove replaced oil lamps for heating the Church and in 1938 electric lighting was installed. The small pipe organ was a gift from Styvechale Church, Coventry in 1947.

These bells were once a three, but the tenor was sent to be recast and never came back. The tenor was hung for swing chiming by Taylors in 1962 when the smaller bell, 28" in diameter, was placed on the church floor

Details Of The Bells

1 Appowell, Buckingham? 2 Hugh Watts, Leicester 1632 5-2-13 in B

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MAXSTOKE St Michael 2, 3½cwt in D

History

The church was built at around the same time as the nearby priory; c.1340. The plan is a plain rectangle about 59½ ft. long by 26 ft. The walls are of local red sandstone ashlar. At the west end, built within the walls, is a modern square bellturret. On the south side is a modern vestry.

These are hung for ringing in the western tower. The bellframe was installed in 1772 and the fittings appear to be contemporary with the frame. Thomas Hancox died in the year that the smaller bell was cast and it bears his mark. It is, therefore, possible that it was cast by his son, Thomas Hancox II. The larger bell is a late example of the founder's work. Both bells are maiden castings, retain their canons and have not been turned

The bells came from North Piddle in Worcestershire where the church had been rebuilt in 1876. At the time the churches were in the same diocese; Worcester. Both bells have canons and have not been quarter turned.